HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 375 leading exponent of this system of medical practice in Hancock County. Dr. Kyser was married (first) on April 10, 1860, to Miss Cecelia Moore, who was born at Wooster, 0., and died in 1877. She was a daughter of Jesse and Catherine Moore. To this union three daughters and one son were born: Almira E., who is the wife of C. W. Brand, a druggist at Findlay, and they have one daughter, Fera, who married Harry Overton ; Israel C., who died in infancy; Lillie M., who married E. N. Kyser, of Findlay, 0., and they have one son, Joy; and Cora C., who married Elmer Flack, of Findlay, 0., and they have had two daughters and one son : Garnett, deceased, who was the wife of Clyde Chambers, of Lima, now assistant postmaster at Seattle, Wash.; and Vera and Harry, both of whom live at home. Dr. Kyser was married (second) in 1894, to Miss Della Snyder, a daughter of Peter Snyder, a prominent and wealthy farmer near Lima. Dr. Kyser is an active member of the Presbyterian church although his early religious connections were with the Reform church. J. L. HIGBIE, M. D., a successful medical practitioner and one of the representative business men of Jenera, Hancock County, 0., was born February 23, 1863, in Allen County, 0., and is a son of Henry H. and Nancy E. (Suaney) Higbie. Henry H. Higbie taught school for many years in Indiana and Ohio during his early life, but later engaged in farming in Allen County, 0. He died in March, 1908, at Lima, 0., where he had been living in retirement for eight years, and is survived by his widow, who is a resident of Lima. They were the parents of the following children: Frank, J. L., Emmet, Bert, Jennie, Cora, and Ada. J. L. Higbie was reared in Allen County, 0., and obtained his early education in the village schools and at Westminster. He also attended the Ohio State Normal School at Ada for three years, and then read medicine with Dr. Blackson and took a course in medicine at the St. Louis Medical College. In 1888 he came to Jenera, 0., where he has since been continuously and successfully engaged in following his profession. Dr. Higbie is a member of the Hancock County and Northwestern Medical Societies. He is politically a Democrat, and was for thirteen years a justice of the peace, and for six years served as mayor of Jenera. He is vice president of the Farmers' Banking Company of Jenera, and his religious connection is with the Lutheran church. Dr. Higbie was joined in marriage with Miss Mary E. Traught, a daughter of Peter Traught, who resides near Jenera, and of their union were born the following children: Una, Lloyd, Merle, and Howard. FREDERICK J. BICKELHAUPT, a retail grocery merchant of Findlay, 0., is a native of Germany, having been born in the Province of Hesse-Darmstadt, near the River Rhine, in 1843, a son of John Bickelhaupt. The latter, who was born also in Germany, in 1821, emigrated with his family to the United States in 1851, locating first in New York City. A year later they came to Findlay, 0., where Frederick J. Bickelhaupt has since made his home. The father died at Findlay in 1896. Frederick J. Bickelhaupt in his youth received but a limited education, but later reading, together with observation and contact with 376 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY the practical affairs of life, broadened his understanding and made him in time a man of good mental equipment, which he is today. When the Civil War broke out, like so many of his countrymen, he offered his services, enlisting at Findlay, in October, 1862, in Co. G, 57th 0. Vol. Inf., with which he saw an active service of four months, for the following three months being confined to the hospital. Subsequently receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Findlay and entered into partnership with his father in the grocery and produce business, which connection lasted until 1881, when the elder partner retired from the firm. The business was continued alone by the junior partner until 1896, when he also retired for a time from business activity. However, in 1907, he resumed as a retail grocery merchant and is conducting a large business at No. 513 So. Main Street, Findlay, where he has a modern, well equipped store. In the past as in the present, Mr. Bickelhaupt won public confidence through honorable methods. In politics he supports the principles and policies of the Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in public affairs and always casting his influence on what he believes to be the right side. Fraternally he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Bickelhaupt was first married in 1870. In 1894 his second union occurred, to Miss Addie D: Folk, a daughter of George Folk, of Findlay. Her family is an old one in this state, dating from pioneer days, and her maternal grandfather, Israel Pence, was born in Ohio and served against the British in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Bickelhaupt have a pleasant residence at No. 131 West Lincoln Street. They are held in high esteem by the citizens of Findlay. CYRUS W. CANFIELD, one of the representative agriculturists of Cass Township, Hancock County, 0., and a well known and valued citizen of a section in which his life has been mainly spent, owns 160 acres of valuable land which lies partly in Cass and partly in Allen Township. He was born on this farm, in the old log house which was the pioneer home of the family, January 23, 1845, and is a son of Elijah C. and Sarah (Weiss) Canfield, a grandson of Eli B. and Johanna (Wright) Canfield, and a great-grandson of Elijah Canfield. The first Elijah Canfield was born in England but he evidently was brought early to the American colonies and the family record tells of his becoming a soldier in the Revolutionary War when a youth of fourteen years and of his being held in such favor by the great commander that he was made one of Gen. Washington's body guards. He spent his closing years in Ohio and died in Portage County when within six years of the century mark. The name of his wife has not been preserved but he had three sons and three daughters born to him. Eli B. Canfield, grandfather of Cyrus W. Canfield, was the eldest of the above six children and he was born in one of the mountainous counties of the State of New York. After the War of 1812, in which he possibly took part, he moved to Ohio and settled in Portage County. From there, in 1836, he moved to Hancock County and located in the deep woods in Cass Township, with his nearest neighbor fully a mile distant. Subsequently he sold that farm and in 1846 moved to Michigan, where he bought a quarter section of land and resided there until the time of his death, just prior to the opening of the Civil War, when HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 377 aged seventy-six years. His old age thus was preserved from the grief that would have fallen on him had he known that within a few years one of his stalwart sons, Elanson, would have died on the field of battle, suffering from fourteen wounds made by Confederate bullets. His widow survived him six years, dying also in Michigan. They had eleven children, five of whom survived infancy, namely : Murwim, Elijah Cyrus, Harry, Elanson and Harriet. The only one yet living is Elijah Cyrus, the venerable father of Cyrus W. Canfield. Elijah Cyrus Canfield comes of a long lived family. He was born September 14, 1820, in Portage County, 0., and was only a boy when the family came in its covered wagon to Hancock County, an ox-team drawing the same safely over the rough unsettled country. In those early days in Cass Township, schools had not yet been generally established and he was so eager to gain some book knowledge that he attended a subscription school for three months after he was twenty-one years of age and paid for the instruction himself. As soon as he was old enough he went into the woods and did his share of clearing, working over many acres. About the time of his marriage he bought the farm of forty acres on which he still lives, from his father, and was, in his prime, probably the equal of any farmer in this section. He also followed threshing for a number of years and in his work, while active, was more or less associated with his son, Cyrus W. He has always been a Democrat and still deems it his duty to exercise his right of citizenship. Mr. Canfield is the oldest resident of Cass Township. Elijah Cyrus Canfield has been twice married. On February 27, 1844, he was united with Sarah Weiss, who left three children at her decease some years later, namely : Cyrus W.; Mary, who became the wife of William Gassman, and they have five children—Charles, James, Philip, William and Minnie; and Ella Jane, who married Warren Albertson and they have two children—William and Lillian. On December 25, 1884, Mr. Canfield was married again, this time to Mrs. Sarah Weiss, widow of Reuben Weiss and daughter of Samuel and Mary (McDougal) Edgar. No children were born to Mr. Canfield to this union but Mrs. Weiss had eight children born to her former marriage : Graig, Mary, Lavina, Sarah, Melissa, Alta, and three that died in infancy. Cyrus W. Canfield obtained a district school education. He has always lived on his present farm but also has a home in the South, where he spends his winters. He assisted his father for many years and for fifty years followed threshing as a business, beginning with the old horse-power thresher, he and his father owning the first machine of the kind in Hancock County and they operated with it for twenty-three seasons. Later improved machinery was purchased and when Mr. Canfield retired from the business he owned modern equipments. At different times he has made improvements on his property and his comfortable residence is a well arranged eight-room house. Mr. Canfield was married to Miss Maria Ames, a daughter of Milton Ames, and they have two children : Sadie and William. The former is the wife of J. C. Kissell and they have three children : Treasure, Paul and Ruby. Mr. and Mrs. Kissell live in Allen Township, Hancock County. William Canfield is a resident of Wood County. He married Bertha Huffman and they have two children : Orpha and Fay. Mr. Canfield, like his father, is a 378 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Democrat and at different times he has served as school director and supervisor. J. CURTIS THOMAS, a prominent farmer and large land owner, of Portage and Allen Townships, Hancock County, 0., has 160 acres in Section to, in the former and eighty acres directly across the highway, in Allen Township. He was born on this farm, February 12, 1875, and is a son of Levi M. and Mary C. (Wilson) Thomas. Levi M. Thomas was born on Sand Ridge, Pleasant Township, Hancock County, a son of Jacob Thomas, who came to Ohio from near Moundsville, W. Va. Levi M. Thomas was reared in Pleasant Township and came to the farm owned by his son, J. Curtis, just after his marriage and cleared the land and made all the improvements. He was a successful farmer and large stock raiser and owned 372 acres of valuable lands. His death occurred May i 1, 1906. He married Mary C. Wilson, who was born in Illinois and was brought to Ohio in girlhood by her father, William Wilson. She survived until November, 1905. J. Curtis Thomas has always been interested in farm pursuits and has been particularly successful in many branches of agriculture. He carries on a general farming line and raises stock and since 1891 has made a specialty of raising Percheron horses. Mr. Thomas married Miss Alta Cathers, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, a daughter of James Gathers, and they have three children : Mary Chloette, James Levi and Harold Curtis. J. C. SHELDON, proprietor of a saw mill and one of the prominent business men of Houcktown, 0., was born April 10, 1853, on a farm in Amanda Township, Hancock County, 0., and is a son of James Washington and Easter (Clowr) Sheldon, who were well known farmers of this county. The father died in 1895 at Bluffton, 0., and the mother died in 1880. J. C. Sheldon attended the district schools and remained on the home farm until nineteen years of age, since which time he has been engaged in business for himself at Houcktown. He engaged as a bridge contractor for a number of years, and has for years operated a saw mill, buying timber which he prepares for the market. He deals principally with the farmers of this locality, although he disposes of considerable red oak, basswood and maple at Findlay, and constantly employs two men in the mill beside himself. Mr. Sheldon recently purchased from Mrs. Hannah Brown a grist mill, which is one of the land marks of Houcktown, and will remove it to his saw mill property, where he owns one acre of land. Besides his residence property at Houcktown, where he has a lot 120 by 140 feet, he also owns eight acres of farm land north of Houcktown, and also owns the only blacksmith shop in town. This he rents out. With his sons he owns three sets of oil and gas well tools and contracts in drilling. Mr. Sheldon was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Marquat, who was born in Findlay, 0., a daughter of John Marquat, and of their union were born the following children : Hettie Lorena, who is the wife of M. C. Woodward, of Marion, 0. ; Bert LeRoy, who is married and a resident of Findlay ; Edith Lavinda, who is the wife of F. M. Sampson of Arlington, 0. ; Cleo ,who is employed as a stenographer at Columbus, 0. ; Annie ; John James; Grover Perry, who is married al- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 379 though but seventeen years old; and Irma Lorina. SAMUEL L. McKELVY, formerly attorney at law but now engaged quite extensively in the insurance and real estate business at Findlay, 0., was born on a farm in Island Creek Township. Jefferson County, 0., January 4, 1848, and is a son of Crawford and Charity (Van Gilder) McKelvy. Crawford McKelvy was an old settler in Jefferson County. In 1849 he made his first trip to the gold fields in California, where he remained for two years and then came home for a visit but subsequently went back and made a longer stay in the mining regions. In the fall of 1861 the McKelvy family moved on a farm in Orange Township, Hancock County, which the father sold in 1867, and they then moved to Plymouth, Ind. Samuel J. McKelvy attended school in Orange Township and during the spring and fall of 1866 was a student in the Findlay High School and after the family removed to Plymouth, Ind., he entered the High School there and was graduated in 1868. Mr. McKelvy went then to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he entered the University of Michigan and remained two years, taking a special course. From there he accepted the position of principal of the High School at Missionary Valley Junction, Ia., and while there read law in the office of Judge Pealon. During a period spent in the South he was admitted to the bar and engaged in law practice in Arkansas until 1876, when he returned to Indiana and engaged in practice and dealing in real estate at Plymouth until 189o, when he came to Findlay, where he has been an important business factor. Mr. McKelvy is undoubtedly the largest real estate dealer in this city, making a specialty of Findlay property, although he is also interested elsewhere. He is president and half owner of the Roanoke Development Company which owns over 1,000 acres of land, a part of which is being developed for oil and other parts devoted to rice culture and the raising of livestock. Mr. McKelvy has a winter home on this property, which is situated at Roanoke, La. He has been the organizer of a large amount of city improvement—built the McKelvy Block on South Main Street, and owns the three-story brick block opposite, a 50-foot business lot opposite Argyle block, and owns additionally a part of the Currier Block together with residence and unimproved realty. Through his open and energetic business methods a large amount of outside capital has been brought here. His business in fire insurance is also a large item as he handles the risks of eleven of the leading companies. Such men of business enterprise are of value to any section. Mr. McKelvy married Miss Dollie P. Hargitt, a member of a Southern Indiana family, and they have five children : Clara May, who is the wife of Charles E. Sprague, of Cleveland ; Mattie L., who is the wife of H. G. David, of Findlay; Maud M., who is a teacher in the Findlay schools ; Erdien H. ; and Loy De Witt, who is a student in the Northern Ohio University at Ada. Mr. McKelvy is a member of the order of Ben Hur and the Masons. FREDERICK LUDEN, a prosperous general farmer of Allen Township, and one of the early settlers of Hancock County, 0., resides on a valuable farm of eighty-five acres, and was born September 15, 1830, in Baden, Ger- 380 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY many, a son of Frederick and Rosina (Shuck) Luden. The parents of our subject were both born and died in Germany, and his maternal great-grandfather Shuck, was a man of considerable wealth, and the manufacturer of fine fur garments. Frederick Luden was reared in Baden, Germany, and there learned the French dyeing trade, making paints and coloring for calicoes and other materials. At the age of eighteen he came to America and located at Findlay, Hancock County, 0., where he worked for two years in the old Swat Hotel. In 1851 he came to Allen Township and worked for five years for his uncle George Luden, who in 1841 came to this county from Wayne County, 0., and located in a log cabin on the farm which our subject now owns. After leaving his uncle's home, Frederick Luden went to Wood County, 0., where he was employed for two years in the largest hotel in the county. In 1855 he returned to Allen Township, Hancock County, and worked as a farm hand until 1861. He is now the owner of a fine farm of eighty-five acres, which is one of the most productive and highly cultivated in Allen Township, and which yields larger crops than most of the other farms in this locality. Mr. Luden was joined in marriage with Agnes During, daughter of Rev. Matthew During, pastor of the German Lutheran Church of Findlay. Of their union were born seven sons : George, Paul, Frederick, Albert, Jacob, William and John, all of whom are stil living. Mrs. Luden passed out of this life in 1906. Mr. Luden is a member of the German Lutheran church of Findlay. ERWIN ELLSWORTH EWING, ex-sheriff of Hancock County, 0., a lifelong resi dent and for years prominently identified with oil production in this section, was born in Liberty Township, July 6, 1862. His parents were Jacob and Louisa (Cooper) Ewing. Jacob Ewing, father of Erwin E., was born August 16, 1836, in Ashland County, 0., and accompanied his parents to Hancock County in 1854. They were Jacob and Sophia (Mowery) Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania. They accompanied their families to Ashland County, 0. where they were married and resided until they came to Hancock County and settled in Liberty Township. Grandfather Jacob Ewing purchased 160 acres at first and later acquired more land until he owned about 300 acres. He died on the farm now owned by Jeremiah Ewing, in 1866, at the age of sixty-eight years and was survived but a short time by his widow. They had seven children, namely : Cornelius, who lives at Findlay, married Elizabeth Insley; Julia Ann, who is the widow of Elijah Goudy, resides at Findlay ; Philip, who lives in Pleasant Township, married Sophia Swartz ; Rudolph, who is a prominent farmer in Pleasant Township, married Elizabeth McKinnis ; David, who died during the Civil War; Jacob; and Elmira, who is the widow of Richard Boyd and is a resident of Findlay. In 1859, Jacob Ewing was united in marriage with Louisa Cooper, who was born in Licking County, 0., a daughter of Hiram Cooper, a farmer who resided in Wood County previous to coming to Hancock County, his death taking place in 1883, in Blanchard Township, at the sage of eighty-one years. He was also a brick and stone mason and some of his work still may be seen in structures standing in the vicinity of McComb. He had a large family of children but the only one remaining is Miss Ellen Cooper. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 383 After his marriage, Jacob Ewing settled on the old home place and also acquired a tract of land in Liberty Township which he sold later, buying a farm in Pleasant Township, one mile south of McComb. Mr. Ewing, in 1888, exchanged this farm for eighty acres situated one-half mile east of Deweyville, which his son, H. C. Ewing, now occupies. He came to this farm in 1878 and died here in the same spring, being in his forty-second year. His widow survived until March 13, 1904, her age being sixty-eight years. Her mother, the maternal grandmother of Erwin E. Ewing, Mrs. Louisa (Mills) Cooper, who died August 9, 1901, survived many of her descendants, her age, at time of decease, being T00 years and sixteen days. Six children were born to Jacob and Louisa Ewing, namely : Ella, who resides at Deweyville, 0. ; Erwin E. ; Hiram C., who lives on the old home place in Pleasant Township, married Metta Bolton, daughter of Michael Bolton ; Earle, who resides with his sister at Deweyville and is engaged in farming; Charles, who owns and operates a farm near Deweyville ; and Jennie, who died at the age of two years. Erwin E. Ewing obtained his education in the public schools but it was interrupted on account of the death of his father when he was but sixteen years of age. Being the eldest son many responsibilities fell on his shoulders which, in spite of his youth, he bore in a manly and efficient way. He remained on the farm and was also interested for a number of years in the timber business, this region then being one where this industry was carried on with vigor at that time, valuable timbered land being purchasable at a very low figure. He bought 120 acres for less than $2.25 per acre and realized handsomely on the investment. He early became interested in politics and served as deputy sheriff under several officials, first under Sheriff Cusac, and in 1890, under Sheriff Bartoon. In 1896 he was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket and was re-elected in 1898, serving out two terms and retiring from the office with the high regard of all law-abiding citizens. Mr. Ewing then turned his attention to the oil business and for five years has been operating extensively in Crawford and Clark Counties, drilling a number of wells and in partnership with his cousin, P. W. Ewing, securing numerous leases. His operations in oil have been carried on in Illinois. He still is a leading factor in county politics and for a number of years has been a delegate to important conventions of the Democratic party. He is deeply interested in the public issues of 1910 and is ready to prove his loyalty to Democratic principles. Being a man of fine address and courteous manner, he exerts an influence in many circles and makes many personal friends. His place of residence is Deweyville, 0. Mr. Ewing is identified fraternally with Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M. at Findlay ; Findlay Commandery, No. 49 ; and Mystic Shrine at Toledo. He has also attained the 32nd degree in the order. He belongs also to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, both at Findlay. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith. N. J. KRAMER, a well known citizen of Rawson, 0., who has lived in this pleasant town for the past sixteen years, still retains his farm of eighty acres, which lies in the northeast corner of Section 0, Union Township, Hancock County, 0. He was born in Fairfield County, 0., August 26, 1849, and is a son of John and Hannah (Boyd) Kramer. John Kramer was a native of Fairfield 384 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY County but later acquired a farm in Franklin County and died there July 10, 1901. He was a well known farmer and respected citizen and for some twenty years held public office in Franklin County. His wife died in 1890. N. J. Kramer was reared in Franklin County and for thirty years lived on his farm in Union Township, Hancock County. In 1860, he was married to Miss Susanna Fox, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Bartoon) Fox, of Hancock County. David Fox was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1875. His widow survived until 1892, her death taking place near Rawson. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer have had six children, as follows : David E., who married Lois Keller, has had three children—Ines, Grace and Erma, deceased ; J. H., who resides at Little Rock, Ark., married Elizabeth Phillips, of Tennessee, and they have one child, Morris; Hannah E., who is a twin of J. H., married Isaiah Foltz, of Hancock County, and they have two children—Coyl, and Edna ; Willard, who married Cora McLish, of Union Township, has seven children—Mabel, Mary, Florence, John, Clara, Scott and Frances ; Wilson P., a twin of Willard, married Lettie Clapp now deceased, and has four children—Walter, Wallace, Dwight and Myra, and Carrie D., whose untimely death occurred at Rawson in 1898, at the age of nineteen years. Mr. Kramer and family are members of the United Brethren church. For four years Mr. Kramer was a trustee of this church and for ten years officiated as its sexton. WILLIAM N. YOST, M. D., physician and surgeon, who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Findlay, 0., since 1892, and in Hancock County since 1872, occupies a foremost position in his profession in this section of the state. Dr. Yost was born at Thornville, Perry County, 0., April 14, 1837, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Taylor) Yost. Peter Yost was of German extraction. In the childhood of his son, William N., he bought a farm in Licking County, 0., near the Perry County line, within three miles of Thornville, and it is still called the old Yost farm in that neighborhood. William N. Yost was reared on the above named farm and went to the country schools during boyhood. Later he attended the Thornville schools and subsequently the Somerset Collegiate Institute, where he completed the course. For a number of years after this he taught school, being located in Thorn Township, in Perry County, and in Union Township, in Licking County, and for four years previous to the Civil War, he had charge of the Union school at Hebron, in the latter county. During a part of this period he was township clerk and all his spare time was given to the preliminary study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Black. In June, 1862, he entered the Federal army, becoming hospital steward of the 113th 0. Vol. Inf., and continued with that regiment and in the same capacity until the close of the war. When his military service was over, Dr. Yost entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1868, and he entered into practice at Houcktown, Hancock County, where he remained for five years and then moved to Mt. Blanchard and continued in practice there until he came to Findlay. Dr. Yost maintains his office at No. 32272 South Main Street. He is a member of the Hancok County, the Northwestern and the Ohio State Medical Societies. Dr. Yost married Miss Rebecca Stewart, a HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 385 daughter of that brave soldier, Major James Stewart, of Licking County, 0., who served through the Civil War. Dr. and Mrs. Yost have had five children : Minnie L., who is the principal of the Firman School at Findlay ; Margaret, who died in 1902, was the wife of Harry George; Jessie Gertrude; Charles C., who is bookkeeper for the Logan Gas Company; and Clarence E., who is secretary of the Findlay Casket Company. Dr. Yost served on the Pension Board for eight years during the Cleveland administration. Dr. Yost is a member of all branches of Odd Fellowship and has served as a representative to the Grand Lodge. He is identified also with the Masonic fraternity and the B. P. 0. E., and belongs to the G. A. R. LEVI SEARFOSS, who owns forty-three acres of richly cultivated land situated in Marion Township, Hancock County, 0., devotes this largely to potatoes and berries, finding truck farming very profitable. He was born in a log house standing on his father's old farm, in Marion Township, January 2, 1845, and his parents were Jacob and Eliza (Garster) Sear-foss. Jacob Searfoss was born and reared in Pickaway County, 0., and in 1840 occurred his first marriage. He and wife came immediately to Hancock County and settled on the farm in Marion Township where H. H. Johnston now lives. He entered eighty acres of heavily wooded land and in the log cabin he built there passed his life. His first wife died in 1848, leaving three children: Levi; Mary Ann, who is now deceased, who was the wife of Burtis Yocum; and Henry, who lives in Indiana. Jacob Searfoss then married Jane Powell, who is also deceased, and they had one daughter : Margaret Jane, who is the wife of S. Rinkhammer, of Marion Township. Levi Searfoss has spent his entire life in Marion Township with the exception of eighteen months passed in Illinois. He attended school while small, but as soon as able began to help in the clearing of the farm. He then learned the carpenter trade and followed the same for twenty-five years, spending twelve of these in the factory of Shull & Company. He built his attractive nine-room frame house into which he introduced many comfortable devices. Mr. Searfoss was married the first time to Miss Samantha J. Alspach. His second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah M. ( Jacobs) Switzer, widow of Jacob Switzer and daughter of James Jacobs. The children, four in number, were born to the first marriage. Harry married Mollie Jacobs and they live at Columbus and have two children—Florence and Etna. Eliza is the widow of Nelson Jacobs and they had three children—Ralph, Eva and Mamie, and they reside with Mr. and Mrs. Searfoss. Elizabeth and Flora also reside at home. No children have been born to the second marriage. The family belongs to the United Brethren church. In politics, Mr. Searfoss is a Democrat and at times he has served as road supervisor and school director. He is identified with the order of Odd Fellows at Findlay. L. S. WOODS, M. D., who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest resident physician of Rawson, 0., and is a valued and honored member of the Northwestern Ohio and the Hancock County Medical Societies, has been an interested spectator of the growth and development of the pleasant town in which he chose his home, when 386 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY starting out on his professional career. Dr. Woods was born November 3, 1853, in Madison Township, Hancock County, 0., a son of James and Hannah (Hatcher) Woods. James Woods was born November 16, 1810, in Columbiana County, 0., and his wife was born in Stark County, 0., July 5, 1815. They were married in 1833, settled in Delaware Township, Hancock County, in 1837, but in 1840 moved to Madison Township, which remained the old home place during the lives of the parents and one to which the children often tenderly and reverently return in thought. James Woods lived into extreme old age, surviving his wife for many years, her death having taken place in 1894. Of their eight children, Dr. L. S. Woods was the youngest born. From his boyhood, L. S. Woods cherished an ambition to become a physician. When the proper age was attained he was given an opportunity to study medicine under his older brother, Dr. Thomas E. Woods and made such rapid progress that in three years time he was adequately prepared to enter the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md. There he was creditably graduated on March 17, 1887. He opened an office at Rawson and has become so closely identified with all that pertains to the progress and well being of this town that his name is inseparably connected with much that is important here. His interest is reciprocated and he is not only valued for his professional skill and business judgment and public spirit, but is esteemed for his purely personal qualities. Dr. Woods was married January I, 1884, to Miss Inez E. Kelly, a daughter of George J. and Caroline Kelly, who were early set tlers in this section. Dr. and Mrs. Woods have three children : Leo Mozelle, Scott K. and Hannah K. Dr. Woods is prominently identified with both the Masons and Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in his political sentiments. JESSE W. MONTGOMERY, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Hancock County, 0., and residing in Orange Township, where he owns 340 acres, was born on the farm on which he lives, March 15, 1857, and is a son of John and Eleanor (McLain) Montgomery. The mother of Mr. Montgomery died in 1905, but the father survives. Jesse W. Montgomery was reared on the home farm and his education was secured in the country schools. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has engaged extensively and successfully in general farming and stock raising. He has taken an active and intelligent interest in politics ever since attaining his majority and has long enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens. He served as treasurer of Orange Township for fourteen years and is now serving in his second term as county commissioner, first assuming official duties September 20, 1906, and entering upon his second term in September, 1909. In his political views he is a Democrat. Mr. Montgomery married Miss Mary R. Mitsch, a daughter of John Mitsch, who was born in Germany and came to Wyandot County, 0., when a boy. He was accidentally killed October 22, 1909, near his home at Bluffton, Allen County, an automobile causing his horse to run away. Mrs. Montgomery was born and reared in Wyan- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 387 dot County. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have eight children : John, Walter, Lida, Frank, Edgar, Helen, Ivan and an infant. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the order of Odd Fellows. A. M. AGIN, a representative citizen of Van Buren Township, Hancock County, 0., where he carries on farming on sixty acres of land and manages eighty more, was born in Orange Township, September 1, 1860, and is a son of William Agin. William Agin was born in Fayette County, Pa. His father died when he was two years old and his mother in his fourteenth year. He came to Trumbull County, 0., and worked at the tanning business and was married there the first time and one child was born to him. In 1836 he moved to Hancock County and entered 160 acres of land in Orange Township. In 1837 he was married to his second wife in Trumbull County and they had five children. He was married the third time to Mary (Montgomery) Thompson, the widow of William Thompson, and five sons and two daughters were born to this union. The family home remained in Orange Township, where the father died in 1891 and the mother in May, 1907. They were members of the German Reformed church and their burial was in the Hassam Cemetery. William Agin was a well known man and carried on his business enterprises honestly and successfully. In earlier years he built a tannery on his farm in Orange Township and conducted it together with his farm work but subsequently rented the tannery to a nephew. A. M. Agin attended the public schools in Orange Township and later the Ohio Normal University at Ada, after which he taught school for some time. After his marriage he settled first on a farm on the township line between Van Buren and Orange Townships and came from there to his present farm in 1907. He has done a large amount of clearing on his property and has all but twelve acres under tillage on the sixty-acre tract. His comfortable and substantial buildings have been erected since he came to the place. Mr. Agin was married in April, 1884, to Miss Annie E. Stonehill, a daughter of Jacob and Elmira (Miller) Stonehill. Jacob Stonehill, who died in 1907, established himself in the undertaking business in 1859 and was one of the earliest and became one of the best known funeral directors in all this section. Calls came to him from long distances, even as far as Logan County, and it is said that he buried as many as 1,100 bodies. He sold out to 0. L. Ream, of Ada, 0. He was a Republican in politics but never took any very active part in public affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Agin have two daughters : Fairie M. and Maude Esther. The former is a very accomplished lady. She is a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada and has taught piano music for six years. Her natural talent was developed so young that her parents had her given instruction in music when she was not more than six years old. The second daughter is in school. Mr. Agin and family are members of the Baptist church, in which he is very active and teaches the Bible Class in the Sunday-school. Like his late father he is a Republican. He has never desired political office but for six years consented to 388 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY serve as appraiser for the Mutual Insurance Company. HARRISON W. STOKER, of the firm of Stoker Bros., dealers in lumber, lath and shingles, who conduct a planing mill at McComb, 0., was born in Allen Township, Hancock County, 0., June 25, 1860, and is a son of Tunis A. and Eve (Mitchell) Stoker. Tunis Stoker was born in Fairfield County, 0., and was nine years old when he accompanied his parents, Jacob and Mary Stoker, to Hancock County, prior to 1835. Jacob Stoker bought a farm of 160 acres in Findlay Township, which he subsequently cleared and he died there about the time of the Civil War, his wife dying many years afterward. Of their five sons and three daughters, but one son is living. Cyrus, David and Darius all served in the War of the Rebellion, as members of Co. F, 21st 0. Vol. Inf. Cyrus was killed at the battle of Stone River. David died of wounds received nine days afterward. Darius survived until the fall of 1908 although he had carried a bullet in his body all the intervening years. Of the other members of the family W. C. resides near Findlay and is a farmer. Mary Jane died unmarried. Dicey married Chrisley Grauel and died at Findlay. Athelinda died in 1907, in Portage Township and was the wife of John Hedges. The maternal grandparents of Harrison W. Stoker were George and Rachel Mitchell, who came to Hancock County in 1832 and in the same year purchased a farm in Portage Township. They lived in their traveling wagon until they could cut down trees and clear a large enough space upon which to build their log cabin. They lived into extreme old age, reaching about ninety-one years. They had twelve children, those who survived infancy being as follows : Jacob, who died at Findlay, in 1907, had served as a soldier in the Civil War, in Co. F. 21st 0. Vol. Inf.; George, who is a farmer, lives in Allen Township ; Nancy, who is the wife of Eli King, lives in Portage Township ; Rachel, who is the wife of Josiah Moore, lives in Pleasant Township ; Betsey, who is deceased, was the wife of Henry Wright, of McComb ; and Isabella and Mary Jane, both of whom are deceased, and Eve, the mother of Mr. Stoker, who died in 1883. Tunis Stoker died in May, 191o, in his seventy-eighth year. Two sons and one daughter were born to Tunis Stoker and wife : Harrison W., George M. and Elizabeth. The latter married Eli Alexander and they reside in North Findlay. He was born in Richland County but was reared at Findlay and now fills the position of department foreman of. the Findlay Clay Pottery Works. They have the following children : Jennie, Eve, George, Isabella, Ruth, Harold and Dora. Harrison W. Stoker attended the public schools of Findlay Township and then learned the carpenter trade and worked at this at Findlay and Rawson and spent one summer in Kansas. In 1883 he came to McComb and entered into the furniture and undertaking business, with Wright & Griffin, and continued four years, when he resumed work at his trade until he started his present business. For the first two years he was alone and then his brother, George M. Stoker, joined him and they have developed HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 391 an extensive business and are now leaders in contracting and building at McComb. In 1889, Harrison W. Stoker was married to Miss Maroa Mackey, a daughter of William Mackey, of Pleasant Township. They have two sons: William T., who is a lineman with the telephone company at McComb; and Clinton, who has not completed his education. George M. Stoker, the other member of the firm of Stoker Bros., also learned the carpenter trade after his school days were over. He was married in 1866, to Miss Lillie Stout, a daughter of Madison Stout, of McComb, and they have two children, Fred and Lena. The Stoker Bros. are not only associated as a firm but they agree politically and are identified with the same fraternal organizations. They both are members of the Masonic lodge at Deschler, the Odd Fellows and the order of Ben Hur, at McComb. They are Democrats in politics and Harrison W. Stoker for nine years was fire chief of the department at McComb and for fifteen years has been a member of the town council. They were reared in the Methodist faith. WILLIAM J. FISCUS, tinner, roofer and sheet metal worker, at Findlay, 0., has carried on his business at his present location, No. 116 North Main Street, since January 1, 1894, and controls a large amount of the best trade in his line. He was born in a village in Lucas County, 0., not far distant from Toledo, bearing the name of Whitehouse, August 11, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Barbara Fiscus. They are both deceased, the father passing away when the son was about ten years old. The mother survived until in her eighty-third year and died in 1905, in Wood County, 0. William J. Fiscus was reared at Whitehouse and attended the village schools and when fifteen years old he went to Fostoria and there learned his trade with his brother-in-law, J. M. Schatzel. In March, 1883, he came to Findlay and worked at the tinning and roofing business until ready to embark in the same for himself. He has prospered and for some years has been contracting in tin, slate, roofing of all kinds, gravel, etc., and keeps four men constantly employed. He did the substantial work on the Argyle Block, the Marvin Block, the Lutheran church and other large structures and also on some of the city's finest residences. Mr. Fiscus was married to Miss Emma Sterner, at Findlay, 0., who was born in Hancock County and is a daughter of the late E. P. Sterner. Mr. Sterner was one of the old settlers in this section and was a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Fiscus have two children: Helen and Edna. Mr. Fiscus is not active in politics, but he fraternally belongs to Lodge No 400, Knights of Pythias. CALVIN D. TODD, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at McComb, 0., and is serving in the office of coroner of Hancock County, was born at McComb, January 27, 1878, and is a son of William H. and Eliza (Gault) Todd. William H. Todd was born in 1837 and died in 1906. He was a son of Benjamin Todd, who was a soldier in the War of 1812 and afterward came to Hancock County. Benjamin Todd owned the land on which McComb now stands. William H. Todd was a cabinetmaker and undertaker for a number of years. He married Eliza Gault, who died in 1896 392 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY She was a daughter of Moses and Rachel Gault, who settled one mile west of McComb, prior to the laying out of the town by Benjamin Todd. The two families were subsequently connected by marriage and they were leaders in many of the early enterprises of this section, and were founders of the Church of God in this vicinity. Among the children of Benjamin Todd and wife were : William H. ; Elisha, who is a venerable resident of McComb, being now in his eighty-seventh year; Benjamin, who lives in Kansas ; and George, who died in Iowa, in advanced age. To William H. Todd and wife there were born five sons and three daughters, as follows: Idona, who is the wife of John C. Buto, of Pleasant township, Hancock County ; Melville, who is a merchant at Goshen, Ind. ; Edward L., who is engaged in growing small fruits, at Viola, Del. ; Jennie, who is the wife of H. C. Fry, of Blanchard Township, Hancock County; Calvin D.; Oliver L., who is connected with the McElhenny grain elevator at McComb; James H., who is a farmer in Pleasant Township; and Dora, who resides at home with her brother, Calvin D. Todd. From the public schools of McComb, Calvin D. Todd entered the Normal School and for seven years afterward engaged in teaching school, a profession for which he seemed well adapted although it was not the one of his cherished desire. In 1903 he entered the Toledo Medical College and graduated in the class of 1907, locating immediately in his old home, McComb, where he has built up a substantial practice. In 1908 he was elected county coroner on the Democratic ticket and in the fulfilling of its duties, Dr. Todd has shown care, judgment and discrimination. He is a member of the county and Ohio State Medical Asso ciations and also of the American Medical Association. He is identified fraternally with McComb Lodge No. 354, Odd Fellows ; and with Camp No. 7470, Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN W. BAKER, postmaster at Rawson, 0., and the owner of a valuable farm in Union Township, Hancock County, was born September 12, 1855, one-half mile south of Rawson, and is a son of Nathan E. and Elenore (Oman) Baker. Nathan E. Baker was born in Lorain County, 0., and was brought to Hancock County by his father, Joseph Baker, who was an early settler in Union Township. Nathan E. Baker followed farming all through his active life and died in 1900 at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Elenore Oman, who was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Joseph Oman, who was one of Eagle Township's early settlers. She died in 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were well known and highly respected people and are remembered in great kindness by those with whom their lives were spent. John W. Baker attended the country schools and afterward gave his father assistance on the farm. In 1891 he was appointed assistant postmaster of the Rawson office, and in 1899, received his commission as postmaster and has made a very satisfactory official. Mr. Baker has been a member of the Masonic Lodge at Rawson for the past fifteen years, and has held every official position in this lodge except Master, and at present is serving as its treasurer. Since 1880 he has also been identified with the Knights of Pythias at Rawson and has likewise been an official of HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 393 this organization. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Baker has never married. WILLIAM MANECKE, president of the Union National Bank of Fostoria, 0., and owner of 600 acres of land in Hancock County, resides in a handsome residence that he erected in 1896, in Section 3, Washington Township. He was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., November 4, 1835, and is a son of Henry and Christina (Markley) Manecke. Henry Manecke was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, where he had social and educational advantages and graduated from a German institution of learning. His family was one of importance and he was given a Government position, being made an inspector of farms. About 1828 he came to America and located in Philadelphia County, Pa., where he was interested in a sugar refinery. Several years later he moved to Stark County, 0., where he rented a farm and four years afterward bought a farm in Section 10, Washington Township, Hancock County. This was about 1843 and at that time this whole county was yet heavily timbered. He built a log cabin in the forest and went to work clearing his land, apparently just as well satisfied notwithstanding his early advantages, as was any other pioneer. Straggling Indians often passed through the forests and game was still plentiful. He remained here until his death which occurred December 23, 1861. He married Christina Markley, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and came to America with her parents. She survived her husband some five years, her death taking place January 9, 1866. They had six children, namely : William Peter, who lives in Washington Township; Emma, who is the wife of Andrew Bowman, of Decatur, Ill. ; Harmon, who lives in Colorado; Thomas J., who lives in Illinois ; Frederick, who resides at Fostoria ; and Albert, whose home is in Illinois. William Manecke was quite young when his parents moved to Hancock County and as he grew up he assisted his father to clear the farm. His book knowledge was secured in the district schools and all his home influences were helpful. He followed general farming and took personal charge of the work as long as he continued actively interested and when he retired he turned his responsibilities over to his sons who, in the meanwhile, had grown into capable and reliable young men. He was one of the organizers of the Union National Bank at Fostoria, of which he is president. It operates with a capital of $100,000, and has a firm standing. E. W. Allen is vice-president and George A. Snyder is cashier. During the Civil War, Mr. Manecke was a patriotic citizen. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 115th 0. Vol. Inf., under Capt. A. R. Holland, and served faithfully until he was honorably discharged May 22, 1865. He took part in a number of sharp engagements and was one of the brave soldiers to march to the sea under Gen. Sherman, and on this march in December, 1864, he was wounded by the enemy and carried a minie-ball in his thigh for ten months and ten days. Through his bravery he was promoted to be sergeant of his company. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Fostoria. In April, 1868, Mr. Manecke was married to Miss Susan A. Ernest, a daughter of Jacob Ernest. She died after the birth of their daughter, Della, who grew to womanhood and married Jacob D. Groth. Mrs. Groth died in South Dakota, and is survived by two children: Ruth and Reeve. On May 16, 1871, Mr. Ma- 394 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY necke was married to Caroline C. Stout and the following children were born to them : Henry R., who died in November, 1907 ; Gilbert, who is an attorney at law, graduated from the Ohio State University at Columbus, in 1897 ; Thomas J., who married Anna Stauffer and they have two children—Florence and Leona ; Rosa, who married Leila Ecker and they have two children—Helen and William; James F., who married Montana McDonald ; Mrs. A. J. Crouse, who lives at Buffalo, N. Y., and Mae, who lives at home. Mr. Manecke is a member of the German Reformed church. He is one of Washington Township's prominent and representative men. ROBERT W. CLOUD, justice of the peace in Portage Township, Hancock County, 0., and a leading citizen of this section, resides on a small farm of three acres here and owns a farm of eighty acres situated in Paulding County, 0. He was born at Columbus, 0., September 24, 1834, and is a son of Samuel P. and Jane (Van Pelt) Cloud. The father of Mr. Cloud was at one time a man of ample fortune, a part of which he earned by selling produce through the country. Later he owned and operated a hotel at Cincinnati, but subsequently was reduced almost to poverty through signing a bail bond for a friend which entailed the loss of $7,000, all at one time. Other men have done the same thing and have been equally unfortunate. Through this domestic calamity, Robert W. Cloud was separated from his kindred and was reared by strangers in Clermont County, until he was twenty-one years old. He then went back to Columbus, and worked there for seven years for an uncle, in a saw mill, and learned the lumber business. In Franklin County, 0., Mr. Cloud was married to Miss Catherine Miller, a daughter of a German farmer, Caspar Miller, and six children were born to them, namely : Robert Ethelbert, who died in May, 1901, leaving a family of three children, lived on a farm of 100 acres which his father formerly owned; Milan, who died in childhood ; Warden W., who lives on the Paulding County farm, married there and has two children; Enoch, who lives with his family in Montana; Isolla, who married Franklin Huber, has one child, May, and they live at North Baltimore; and Alwilda Cretora, who married Perry Smith and they have two children and reside at North Baltimore. Mr. Cloud is now one of Portage Township's substantial men, but in the building of his fortunes he has had little assistance. He has been a fireman on a railroad, a soldier, a farmer and a lumberman and has also filled public offices with the utmost efficiency. He is a veteran of the Civil War and has two honorable discharges, having served for three months in Co. G, 133rd 0. Vol. Inf., and three months in a cavalry regiment, and is a member of the G. A. R. Post at McComb. Prior to coming to Hancock County and locating at Findlay, in 1869, he had spent some time and capital seeking a suitable location in Michigan, but not finding it came back to Ohio. At that time lie had just $9.69 in cash, with a wife and four children depending upon him. He engaged in teaming as the first employment that offered and then went to work in a saw mill which stood on his present farm and later bought a half interest and subsequently the mill which he conducted for twenty-one years. He also acquired a farm of T00 acres which he retained until 190, when he sold all but the three HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 395 acres surrounding his residence. In politics he is a Republican and while living in Franklin County served seven years as constable. He was elected justice of the peace in Portage Township and has served in this office since January 1, 191o. He has also been township supervisor. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias. HARRY G. DAVID, who does a large coal, transfer and storage business at Findlay, 0., started here in this line in 1904, having F. D. Howe as a partner from then until July, 1909, when he bought the partner's interest and has been alone ever since. Mr. David was born at Cleveland, 0., in 1875, and is a son of W. L. David, Sr. The father of Mr. David died at Findlay in 1907. He early became connected with the hardware line of the oil business and continued through the oil fields of Pennsylvania until 1890, when he came to Findlay and up to the time of his death, was connected with the Jareeki Oil Well Manufacturing Supply Company. Harry G. David was but a boy when the family moved from Butler, Pa., to Findlay, 0., and later, for four years, he was connected with the oil industry, having leases in Cass Township, Hancock County, where he worked as a field foreman. Prior to accepting this position, however, he had learned the machinist trade, one that he followed for nine years. In 1904 he saw a good business opening in his present line at Findlay and took advantage of it and has greatly prospered. His coal office and yards are located at No. 418 East Lincoln Street, while his transfer and storage quarters are in the rear of No. 118 South Cory Street. He has a fine equipment, owning five large furniture vans, seven drays for heavy hauling, four coal and four road wagons, with strong teams, and gives steady employment to twenty-five men. Mr. David married Miss Martha McKelvey, who is a daughter of S. L. McKelvey, a prominent real estate dealer, of Findlay, and they have one child, Francis Lee David. Mr. David is a member of the Knights of Pythias, B. P. 0. E., and also of the Protected Home Circle. GEORGE A. MITCHELL, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on a tract of eighty acres in Allen Township, has resided on his present farm since 1870, and is the owner of two other farms in Portage Township,. Hancock County, 0., the three farms aggregating a total of 220 acres. He was born April 3, 1849, on a farm in Portage Township, Hancock County, 0., and is a son of George and Rachel (Switzer) Mitchell. George Mitchell was a native of Belmont County, 0., and his wife of Richland County, 0. They were married in Richland County, and immediately afterward came to Hancock County, 0., and located on a tract of timberland in Portage Township. Here they continued to reside the remainder of their lives, he clearing the land and placing it in a state of cultivation. George Mitchell lived to the advanced age of ninety years, and his wife to the age of eighty-six years. George A. Mitchell was reared in Portage Township, his father's farm being the scene of his boyhood activities. He has always followed farming, and in 1870, after his marriage, settled on his present farm of eighty acres, which is located in Section 35, Allen Township, lying along the road which separates Allen and Port- 396 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY age Townships. Here he has made many improvements, erecting a fine large frame house and barn, and other necessary buildings, and carries on farming in a general way, in connection with stock raising. Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Abigail Cusac, who was born and reared in Portage Township, a daughter of John and Nancy (Bell) Cusac, and of their union have been born two sons : Homer, who resides on one of our subject's farms in Portage Township, married Stella Moorehead and has two children, Charles and Gertrude ; and Harry, who lives on his father's other farm in Portage Township, married Nellie Peabody, and has two daughters—Gladys and Grace. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church. LEVI GORBY, a well known citizen of Hancock County, 0., is the owner of three farms, aggregating 140 acres, land being thus divided : eighty acres, on which he lives, in Section 18, Portage Township forty acres, in Section 7, Eagle Township; and twenty acres in Section 13, Pleasant Township. He was born on a farm in Eagle Township, November 19, 1856, and is a son of Jacob and Maria (Frederickson) Gorby. Jacob Gorby was born in Chester County, Pa., and came to Hancock County as a child with his sister. He grew to manhood here and married Maria Frederickson, who died in 1858. Jacob Gorby spent the greater part of his life in Eagle Township, where he followed farming, but his death took place at Rawson. Levi Gorby followed the example of his father and has been a farmer ever since reaching the age of responsibility. For six years after his first marriage he remained in Blanchard Township on rented land and then moved to the homsetead in Eagle Township. He spent fourteen years in that township and came to his present farm in Portage Township in March, 1898. Mr. Gorby was married first to Miss Flora Powell, who died in Eagle Township. They had three children : Cora, deceased, who was the wife of Charles W. Gorrell and is survived by two children—Ruby and Carl ; Estella, who is the wife of W. J. Swinehart, and has one child, Harold ; and Viola, who died aged 4 years. In January, 1891, Mr. Gorby was married to his present wife, who was Miss Celesta Bond, a daughter of Jesse Bond, and they have two children, Erma and Earl DeLoss. Mr. and Mrs. Gorby are members of the Thomas Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a class leader, steward and trustee and also a teacher in the Sabbath-school. In the same year that Mr. Gorby moved to Portage Township he was elected township treasurer and he served in that office until January 1, 1910. He has also been a member of the school board and in every way has shown the qualities of good citizenship. He is identified with the order of Maccabees. DAVID DICK, whose valuable farm of 240 acres lies in Washington Township, in Section 21, divided by the general highway, is one of Hancock County's substantial citizens and representative men. He was born on his father's farm in Richland County, 0., May 28, 1836, and is a son of George and Sarah (Nickles) Dick. George Dick was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of Simon Dick, who was a HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 397 native of Germany. The latter came to America and settled in Pennsylvania where he married and reared a large family. Of these George was one of the younger sons. He remained on the Pennsylvania farm until after his marriage and the birth of three children, and then moved to Wayne County, 0., where he rented a farm and moved from there to Stark County where he also rented land, after which he moved to Richland County and there bought ninety acres of land and resided on it into old age, being aged ninety-one years at the time of death. His wife had passed away earlier, when aged eighty-six years. The record of their children is as follows : Eliza became the wife of William Boyd and both are deceased. Josiah is deceased. Harmon lives in Shelby, 0. Levi, George and Jacob, are all deceased. Sarah Ann married Samuel Smith and is now deceased. Mary Ann is also deceased. David and Hiram were twins and the latter is deceased. Susann, now deceased, was the wife of Samuel Turpet. David Dick grew up on the home farm and he easily recalls the old schoolhouse with its primitve accommodations. He remembers also that he and his seat-mate built their own desk. From boyhood he was accustomed to farm work and after he was married he continued to work on the home farm for his father for four years and then came to Hancock County, where he purchased his first land, a tract of fifty-three acres situated one mile east of his present farm, the former owner being H. Hunt. To this he added fifteen acres but subsequently sold out and went back to Richland County, where he bought 165 acres. That he subsequently traded for his present farm, with Josiah Dick, this being in 1876. A log house then stood on the place but Mr. Dick built all the buildings now standing, cleared up about thirty acres and put it under cultivation with the remainder of the land, had it all thoroughly tiled and for years has successfully followed general farming. He is one of the stockholders in the bank at Arcadia, 0. On March 11, 1862, Mr. Dick was married to Miss Barbara Weiser, a daughter of Adam and Susan (Bender) Weiser. The father was born in Dauphin County, Pa., and the mother in Cumberland County, and both came to Ohio with their parents, Mrs. Weiser being then eleven years of age. Her parents settled near Mansfield, 0., and it is said that when they went to take possession of the cabin on the farm, a deer ran out of it, the wild creature having taken shelter there. Until they could get their own house comfortable they lived with a Mr. Weiler, one of the well known pioneers. The Weiser family entered 160 acres of land in Richland County, near Shelby. Mrs. Dick is one of a family of twelve children, namely : Sarah Jane, who died at the age of five years ; Barbara, who is the wife of Mr. Dick ; John, who is deceased ; Harriet, who died when aged sixteen years ; Jacob, who lives in Williams County, 0. ; Adam, who is on the old home farm in Richland County ; 'William, who lives at Fostoria ; Alice, who is the wife of William Sherman of Fostoria ; Mary, who is the wife of George Suter, an undertaker at Shelby, 0., and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dick have four children : George Wesley, Cora, Adam and Charles 398 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY F. George Wesley Dick is secretary of the Mutual Insurance Company and secretary of the bank at Arcadia, of which he was one of the organizers and has a half interest in a threshing business. He married Jessie Taylor and they have six children. Their eldest daughter, Ethel, took a Normal School course and is now teaching in the home district where her father taught several terms. Lulu and Nellie are both students in the Arcadia High School, while John E., Anna and Bessie H., are at home. Cora, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dick, is the wife of Alvin Davison and they reside at Fostoria. Having no children of their own, they have adopted a son and he has been theirs from the age of seven weeks. Adam Dick, who owns a half interest in the threshing business, resides in a part of his father's house and operates the home farm. He married Nannie Wyant. Charles F. Dick, the youngest son, is also in the threshing business and lives in Washington Township. He married Nellie Need. The Dicks are identified with the Democratic party. ARTHUR N. McNEAL, who is engaged in farming and stock raising on a tract of eighty acres which his wife owns, located about five miles south of Findlay on the Washington road, in Section 3, Eagle Township, Hancock County, 0., is also engaged in road contracting, and was born on his present farm August 21, 1848, a son of John Parks and Catherine (Swisher) McNeal. John P. McNeal, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Hancock County in 1862 and entered a tract of eighty acres in Eagle Town ship, from the government. He lived upon and farmed this land until within a few years of his death, when he removed to Findlay, 0., where he lived in retirement until the time of his decease, October 22, 1890. His wife, who in maiden life was Catherine Swisher, was also a native of Pennsylvania and died on the farm in Eagle Township in 1870. Arthur N. McNeal has spent his entire life on his present farm, and attended the local schools of Eagle Township. He has always followed farming in a general way, and raises considerable stock, including hogs, sheep, cattle, horses, etc., but devotes most of his time to road contracting and has built a great many of the best turn pike roads in the county. He has made extensive improvements on the farm in the way of tiling, ditching, etc., and in 1906 erected a large frame residence. In 1869 Mr. McNeal was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Briggs, who is a daughter of Raymond and Margaret Briggs, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. McNeal was but six years old at the time of the death of her father, who was a sailor, and she afterwards came to Hancock County with her mother, who located at Findlay. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McNeal, namely : John H.; Grace E., who married John Ecker, who comes of one of the prominent families of Hancock County; Blanche M., who is the wife of Lorison Stanfield, who comes of a well known family of Wood County, and they have one son, Everett J.; and Cora Dell, who died at the age of three years, nine months and eleven days. -